Space Tracking and Surveillance System-Demonstrator (STSS-D)

The Missile Defense Agency's Space Tracking and Surveillance System-Demonstrator program is a research and development capability for the Ballistic Missile Defense System that can detect and track ballistic missiles and other cold objects in space.

STSS-D consists of two satellites carrying sensor payloads in a low-Earth orbit. Raytheon developed the sensor payloads for the two STSS satellites under contract to Northrop Grumman, prime contractor for the STSS-D program. The STSS-D payloads are able to detect infrared and visible light.

The STSS-D spacecraft demonstrate the value of space-based sensors to missile defense. Since they were launched in 2009, the STSS-D sensor payloads have demonstrated the ability to: